AI can generate code. But that doesn’t mean it always generates the right code.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, LaShonna Dorsey visits with Rob Ruiz, an Omaha-based full-stack software engineer, Certified Advanced Professional WordPress Developer, AI expert, and owner of Bizzle Interactive.

Rob is also the lead maintainer of WP Rig, an open-source WordPress theme development framework used by developers and agencies building custom WordPress experiences.

Rob shares how he went from graphic design and Flash development to becoming deeply involved in WordPress, open source, and software development.

The conversation also explores how AI is changing the way developers work—and why giving AI structure, documentation, rules, and a strong development framework can lead to better results.

Rob and Shonna talk about:

• Rob’s path from designer to full-stack developer
• His involvement with WordCamp Omaha and the local WordPress community
• How he became the lead maintainer of WP Rig
• Why open-source contribution still matters
• How WP Rig supports custom WordPress development
• Why AI can perform better inside a well-defined framework
• What developers and agencies should be thinking about as AI becomes part of everyday development

Rob is based in Omaha and contributing to a global open-source developer community.

Learn more about Rob and Bizzle Interactive at bizzle.dev.

What if the answer to brain drain isn't convincing people to stay, but building opportunities so strong they want to come back?

In this special Nebraska Women in Tech Summit series of the TEN Podcast, Liz Morrell, Director of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the University of Nebraska, joins LaShonna Dorsey and co-host Jessica Olsen, EdD of Kiewit for a conversation about manufacturing, technology, talent, and Nebraska's opportunity to compete.

Liz brings nearly two decades of manufacturing experience to the conversation. After earning her chemical engineering degree from the University of Kansas, she spent 15 years working in technical and operational roles at ExxonMobil facilities across the country. She later returned to Nebraska to join hard-tech company Monolith Materials, where she led engineering, strategic planning, and manufacturing.

Today, Liz works with small and mid-sized manufacturers across Nebraska to improve processes, adopt technology, develop new products, and scale their businesses.

We get into:

• Why manufacturing is a powerful economic engine for Nebraska communities
• How technology and innovation are changing modern manufacturing
• The role Nebraska can play in helping manufacturers and startups scale
• Why there are multiple pathways into STEM and manufacturing careers
• What Liz means by "boomerang and build"
• Why relationships and community matter when building a stronger technology ecosystem

Liz also reflects on her 2026 Nebraska Women in Tech Summit lightning talk and why Nebraska shouldn't only focus on keeping talent here. Her challenge is bigger: build great companies, careers, and opportunities that give people a reason to stay—or a reason to come home.

It's a conversation about building hard things, creating opportunity, and what becomes possible when talent, technology, and community come together.

Hunter Bergman has a goal: help 500 people become more confident and capable with AI.

And he’s already more than 200 people in.

Hunter is the founder of XPM and XPM Labs. Originally from Northeast Nebraska, he started building what would become XPM while attending Northeast Community College and continued growing the company after transferring to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

For the past four years, Hunter has worked with businesses to modernize their marketing, operations and use of technology. Increasingly, that work has focused on a practical question: How can organizations use AI to improve their people and systems without losing the human side of the work?

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, Hunter joins LaShonna Dorsey to talk about:

• Why AI literacy matters for people at every stage of their career
• The difference between simply using AI and using it well
• How businesses can move from AI experimentation to practical systems and workflows
• Why human connection may become even more important as AI use grows
• How AI can reduce time spent on lower-value tasks and create more room for meaningful work
• What Hunter is learning as he works toward training 500 people through XPM Labs

Hunter was also recently selected for the Google AI Data Center Fellowship and continues to explore how these tools can help businesses, nonprofits and communities across Nebraska work smarter.

And when LaShonna finally turns the tables and asks Hunter, “What question do you want to answer?” — the conversation gets even more interesting.

Want to be part of the 500?

Learn more about practical AI training for your team, school or organization at xpm.agency/labs.

Some of the people making the biggest impact in our communities are also the least likely to seek recognition. They do it because the work matters to them more than the accolades.

Tailla Strawn knows that firsthand.

Tayla is the 2026 Nebraska Women in Tech Tech Community Impact Award recipient, founder of PowerPath Collective, a full-time student, and a workforce and career development professional whose work sits at the intersection of technology, career readiness and community.

In this special Nebraska Women in Tech Summit series of the TEN Podcast, Tailla joins LaShonna Dorsey and guest co-host Dr. Jessica Olsen of Kiewit to talk about what it means to build a career around helping other people move forward.

We get into:

• Why Tailla chose to build her career and business in Nebraska
• The gap she saw between training people and helping them figure out what comes next
• How PowerPath Collective is helping people build practical, career-ready skills
• Why exposure, relationships and community matter for women in technology
• What receiving the Nebraska Women in Tech Tech Community Impact Award meant to her
• Why recognizing someone’s work can have an impact far beyond the award itself

As Tailla puts it: “Give them their flowers and say, we see you.”

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Nebraska Women in Tech Awards. If someone comes to mind while you listen to this episode, take a few minutes to recognize her.

Artificial intelligence is changing software engineering—but it's also redefining what it means to be a successful engineer.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, Keegan Taylor, Director of Software Engineering at Workshop, joins Shonna Dorsey and guest co-host Jessica Olson to discuss how AI is transforming the tech industry and what that means for students, engineers, and technology leaders.

From her journey as a University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate to leading engineering teams at one of Omaha's growing technology companies, Keegan shares how curiosity, communication, and product thinking have shaped her career. She also reflects on lessons from the 2026 Women in Tech Summit, the value of mentorship, and why the engineers who will thrive in the future are the ones who understand people—not just code.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How AI is changing the role of software engineers
• Why communication and problem-solving are becoming essential technical skills
• What employers look for when hiring interns and early-career professionals
• The importance of curiosity, initiative, and product thinking
• How mentorship and community can accelerate your career in tech

Whether you're a student exploring technology, an aspiring software engineer, or a leader navigating AI in the workplace, this conversation offers practical insights into the skills that will shape the future of work.

We’re kicking off a special TEN Podcast series highlighting the women who help shape the Nebraska Women in Tech Summitas speakers, volunteers, partners, award recipients and community leaders.

Our first guest is Erin Good, Executive Director in the Kiewit Technology Group and founding partner of the Summit.

Erin started her career as a software engineer and has spent more than 20 years growing into leadership at Kiewit. Along the way, she learned firsthand what can happen when someone sees your potential and gives you an opportunity to step into something bigger.

Now, she works to create those same opportunities for others.

Erin joins Shonna Dorsey and Dr. Jessica Olsen with Kiewit to talk about her career journey, what she looks for in emerging leaders, and why the Nebraska Women in Tech Summit has become an experience she continues to invest in.

For Erin, the Summit creates something women in technology don’t always get enough of: intentional space to connect, collaborate, gain visibility and find opportunity.

And one part she makes sure she catches every year? The lightning talks. Five minutes. One idea. All the good stuff.

As we look toward the April 2, 2027 Nebraska Women in Tech Summit, our theme is Ships That Shape Us—recognizing the people, relationships and experiences that help shape where we go next.

Interested in being part of 2027? Speaker, volunteer, award nomination and community interest forms are open through November 5, 2026.

Learn more: aksarben.org/women-in-tech-summit

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way marketers and creatives work—but according to Lindsey Frum, it's not replacing creativity. It's enhancing it.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, Lindsey Frum, Marketing & Communications Manager at the Aksarben Foundation, shares how she combines creativity, web development, and AI to produce impactful work while staying true to the human side of marketing.

From teaching herself website development through online resources to leading marketing initiatives for a nonprofit organization, Lindsey discusses the importance of lifelong learning, embracing feedback, and using AI as a productivity tool rather than a replacement for creative thinking.

The conversation also explores what makes a great internship experience, how managers can better mentor emerging professionals, and why giving interns meaningful work helps prepare them for long-term success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why AI should enhance creativity—not replace it
• How self-directed learning can open doors in tech and marketing
• The value of communication and feedback in creative careers
• What makes an internship meaningful for both students and managers
• Why mentorship and hands-on experience are critical for career growth

Whether you're a creative professional, technology enthusiast, manager, or student beginning your career, this episode offers practical insights into building skills that will continue to matter in an AI-powered world.

Entrepreneurs often assume they need to reach the next milestone before they can start operating differently. More revenue, more clients, a bigger team, then they’ll step fully into the role of CEO.

Beth Powers sees it differently.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, LaShonna Dorsey talks with Beth, founder of the Omaha Women’s Network, about entrepreneurship, leadership, community, and what it really takes to grow a business in a changing environment.

Beth began her entrepreneurial journey as a videographer and quickly learned that success wasn’t only about technical skill. Her ability to build relationships, serve clients well, and stay connected to her community became an important part of how she grew. After years of hosting networking events, retreats, lunch and learns, and women’s circles, she launched the Omaha Women’s Network in 2024.

Today, Beth brings women business owners together through the Omaha Women’s Network, its mastermind, and the Meant for More Summit. The goal is not simply to put people in the same room, but to create opportunities for real collaboration. Beth shares one example of two women who met through Meant for More and later opened a holistic health clinic together that is now expanding.

The conversation also explores how strong local business relationships can contribute to Omaha’s economy, why networking can lead to clients, partnerships and new businesses, and why entrepreneurs shouldn’t wait until they reach the next revenue milestone to start thinking and acting like the CEO they want to become.

As AI continues to change the way businesses work, Beth also shares an important reminder: technology is only one part of building a strong company. Entrepreneurs still have to make thoughtful decisions, invest in people and relationships, and lead intentionally.

Her advice for business owners who are ready to grow is simple: “Be her. Be him. Now.”

Youth sports can give young people so much more than a place to compete.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, Teresa Friesen shares how she is combining technology, mentorship, and social science to create healthier and more meaningful experiences for young athletes.

Through SheMate, Teresa uses technology to connect girls in sports with women athletes who can mentor them, while also creating tools that support matching, scheduling, virtual sessions, and continued engagement between conversations.

She also shares why she launched Fanwell, a new company focused on strengthening parent culture in youth sports and helping athletes, coaches, and families create better experiences together.

It’s a conversation about entrepreneurship, technology, mentorship, and how thoughtful innovation can help more young people experience the lifelong benefits of sports.

Marketing is changing fast. The tools are evolving, customer expectations are shifting, and AI is changing how people discover, evaluate, and interact with businesses.

But one thing matters more than ever: human connection.

In this episode of the TEN Podcast, LaShonna Dorsey and Brian Poppe sit down with Shayla Kelly, Marketing Director at Complete Weddings + Events, to talk about what it takes to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Shayla leads marketing strategy, analytics, digital marketing, branding, and growth initiatives for Complete Weddings + Events’ expanding franchise network. Her role gives her a front-row seat to the challenges and opportunities franchise owners face as they navigate different markets, changing customer expectations, and new technology.

The conversation explores:

• How marketing strategy changes across different markets and audiences
• How Shayla is using AI to brainstorm, streamline work, and keep messaging relevant
• Why businesses may need to rethink how they reach customers who are increasingly using AI themselves
• What technology can improve and where real human expertise still matters
• How Shayla’s early work in Omaha’s startup community shaped the way she supports entrepreneurs today
• Why relationships, shared knowledge, and community continue to be powerful drivers of growth

Shayla also shares her work as 2026 Co-Chair of the Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee, a group of more than 90 young professionals who are business and community leaders committed to building relationships, learning from one another, and supporting communities across Nebraska.

And there’s a special announcement. Shayla and Shonna share more about the launch of the Aksarben Foundation Floor Committee Podcast, a new series designed to introduce listeners to the people, careers, experiences, and community leadership represented across the committee.

It’s a conversation about adapting to change, embracing new tools, and staying focused on what still moves businesses and communities forward: people connecting with people.